Workplace Strategist

Your Role   As a   Workplace Strategy Lead   in Gensler's North Central Region, you will be a key partner in defining and executing the future of workplace strategy at the firm. You will lead complex programming, visioning, and strategic planning engagements for a diverse range of clients—from established institutions navigating hybrid work to high-growth companies reimagining their   environments   entirely. This is a player role: you will be deeply involved in the craft of strategy while helping to shape the practice itself.   You are someone who can translate organizational ambition into   spatial   strategy with precision and conviction. You understand that great workplace strategy sits at the intersection of user insight, business performance, and design possibility—and you know how to move fluently between all three. You bring a point of view about the future of work, grounded in   research   and tested through execution, and   you're   eager to bring that perspective to bear on challenging, high-stakes client engagements.   You will work closely with the Regional Strategy Director to build the NCR Strategy practice from the ground up— establishing   credibility with clients and colleagues, developing emerging strategists, and defining what leading with strategy means in this region. You are as comfortable leading a workshop with 30 stakeholders as you are running space   utilization   scenarios or teaching a junior team member how to scope a discovery engagement. You thrive in environments that reward initiative, intellectual rigor, and a bias toward action.   This role is based in Chicago and requires full-time presence in the office, with reasonable flexibility for personal needs.   What You Will Do   Lead workplace strategy and programming engagements from discovery through implementation, including space calculations, scenario modeling, test fits, occupancy analytics, and strategic visioning   Design and   facilitate   workshops (virtual and in-person) for groups ranging from 10 to 100+ participants, translating organizational   objectives   into actionable spatial strategies   Synthesize research, data, and stakeholder input into compelling strategic narratives that inform design direction and client decision-making   Partner with architecture and design teams to ensure seamless integration of strategy into project execution, serving as the strategic voice throughout the design process   Build and   maintain   client relationships independently, serving as a trusted advisor on workplace transformation, real estate strategy, and organizational change   Develop   methodology , tools, and frameworks that elevate the quality and consistency of the NCR Strategy practice's workplace offerings   Mentor and upskill junior strategists on programming, facilitation, strategic planning, and client engagement   Contribute to business development efforts, including proposals, pitches, and thought leadership that positions Gensler as the strategic partner of choice for workplace transformation   Collaborate with Strategy, Brand, Sustainability, Product, and Digital Experience teams to deliver integrated, cross-functional solutions   Represent the practice in internal and external forums, building the visibility and credibility of Strategy in the North Central Region   Your Qualifications   Bachelor's or Master's   degree in architecture, interior design, urban planning, organizational development, business strategy, or a related field   7–10 years of professional experience executing workplace strategy, space programming, real estate portfolio strategy, or management consulting with a focus on the built environment   Deep technical fluency in workplace programming, including space standards,   utilization   analysis, scenario planning, test fits, and adjacency planning   Demonstrated ability to design and lead high-impact workshops and strategic engagements with senior stakeholders   Proven   track record   delivering strategic recommendations that have directly informed design outcomes and organizational decision-making   A strong portfolio (2–3 projects)   demonstrating   command of strategic communication, data visualization, and persuasive storytelling   A clear point of view on the future of work—not trends for trends' sake, but a grounded perspective on how organizations, technology, and space are evolving together   Experience working in or closely with architecture and design firms; fluency in how strategy and design intersect is essential   Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences   Entrepreneurial mindset and comfort   operating   in an evolving, ambitious practice that is actively being defined   Self-motivated, highly organized, and capable of managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously   Proficiency   in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word), and digital collaboration tools (Miro, Microsoft Teams, etc.)   Comfort and skill integrating AI-powered research and synthesis tools into strategic workflows—whether for accelerating research, refining narratives, or generating insights at scale   Experience with data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI) and workplace analytics platforms is a plus   Familiarity with IWMS platforms, workplace occupancy sensors, or real estate analytics tools is a plus   To Be Considered   Please   submit   a portfolio including 2–3 workplace   strategy   or programming projects that   demonstrate   your approach, craft, and impact. Additionally, include a brief statement (500 words or less) outlining your point of view on the future of work and how workplace strategy must evolve to meet it.   Learn more about our Chicago team:   https://www.gensler.com/offices/chicago   This is not a r